1998 GMC Safari Cargo

Best vehicle I've ever used for a taxi - Great buy

By Cabbie (VA) on Thursday, January 24, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 350,000

Pros: "Easy to drive, reasonable fuel economy, versatile"

Cons: "Middle-row seat too close to door"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

WELL worth fixing!

"I bought my fully-loaded '98 Safari SLT AWD in October 2010 for $2800, to replace the '00 I had recently sold. Even though the '98 was not as new, its AWD and full options, including leather seats, were a huge selling point for me, as I operate a taxi for-hire. Its greatest feature is no driver's side passenger door, preventing drunk passengers from exiting into traffic, a big safety plus. ............................................................................................................................ These vans are quite easy to drive, and reasonable on fuel for what they are. They get about the same fuel economy as a Crown Victoria, and can carry 2 more passengers in even greater comfort, with room for more luggage. What's not to like? My passengers love it as well. As an aside, a fellow cabbie has a 4-passenger Tahoe that uses more fuel (11 mpg to my 14) and secretly envies my van. ............................................................................................................................ I previously owned a very clean 2WD '00 Safari SL, purchased for $1600 at a government auction, with 115k. I spent less than $1500 on it in the following year I drove it, accumulating 52,000 miles. The cabbie I sold it to in October 2010, sold the same van five months ago with over 250k, having done relatively little to it, and it is still on the road every day. The only reason I sold it was to buy one with all-wheel-drive. ............................................................................................................................ My '98's story is long, but one worth reading. This van has genuinely impressed me. After seventeen months, the engine lost oil pressure, requiring replacement. However, this was not the van's fault. Vehicles used for-hire take a beating, and will wear out sooner or later. So even though the engine lost oil pressure after 17 months, I gave the old girl a second chance with a replacement engine and transmission. Yes, I spent $3300 to repair a van that is 15 years old. Why? Read on... ............................................................................................................................ Even though it showed 119k at purchase, some repairs needed since purchase do not agree with the odometer, and indicate this van had well over 250k when I bought it. Upon inspection of the original engine, I estimate my van quite likely has at least 350k, because the Vortec 4.3 V6 is quite well-known for going 250k-350k. There have been many indications the engine was patched up with just enough sub-standard work to get rid of the van. I'm actually quite impressed that it ran as long as it did. Even though it was in trouble and ready to spin a bearing the entire time I've had it, it stubbornly and quietly soldiered on for 51,000 miles for me before it gave up the ghost, showing 171k. ............................................................................................................................ However, the original engine says otherwise. No one will ever convince me that my van's odometer is accurate. My father had a 2.8-liter S-10 with over 400k when it finally died, and the 4.3 Vortec is a much better engine. I have also seen 4.3s still going at over 300k, so therefore, I firmly believe the odometer was swapped for a lower-mileage unit. Therefore, there really is no way to know the true mileage. So I thought, why not swap the engine and transmission for a lower-mileage unit? ............................................................................................................................ You may ask, WHY did I spend *$3300* to resurrect a dead 15-year-old van? Because it didn't owe me a dime at that point, it had made my living for 17 months... for $2800 and reasonable repairs for the ACTUAL mileage. Also, thanks to Cash For Clunkers and public short-sightedness, these vans are quite hard to find now, especially with the creature comforts that mine is equipped with, and it does everything I ask it to, so well. GM should NEVER have quit building these vans, or the 4.3. They are tough as nails, mine has taken more abuse than any vehicle should be expected to. ............................................................................................................................ Sure, I could have bought a newer van for that kind of money. Would I have gotten one as nice? Not likely. Would I have had the same problems in another year or two? Highly likely. Even though this van has not been bad at all for the true mileage, as the old saying goes, better the devil you know. I am quite confident that after taking care of a couple more matters that require attention, this van will do nothing but make me money for at least 5-7 more years, and should the need ever arise, I plan to repower it again, and I would buy another in a heartbeat."

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

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Best vehicle ever

By JJ (NH) on Tuesday, January 22, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 113,000

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I have owned 2 of these vans. I have a horse farm and have carried grain, hay etc. with them. Both have held up really well and I can't find anything to compare. So sorry I can't get a new one as they are no longer being made."

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Disappointed

By Safari (WI) on Tuesday, October 23, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 128,000

Pros: "Roomy, comfort, look"

Cons: "Maintence"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 1

"I bought this vehicle 3 months ago at 127,000 miles. I loved the style, room and comfort inside and out (and still do). Dealer told me only thing wrong was that the A/C didn't work on high. Taking it home I also noticed a wobble/shaking at high speeds. 2 weeks after my purchase the thing wouldn't start. $400 later to replace the battery, brakes, A/C part, and balacing tires. Another two weeks go by and the vehicle is dead again. Had it to 4 different mechanics and heard it's the alternator, not the alternator, bad battery, not a bad battery, draw/short, not a draw/short. Research on the internet I found nurmerous posts with the same problem pointing me to the distributor cap, rotor, and CPK. One mechanic told me there were 258 known fixes of this problem having to do with the ABS module. Sure enough a week after being told this my brakes go out. Back to the mechanic to now be quoted $1600 to diagnose the ABS, fix two broken idler bars, sway bar, radiator, rotors, and back tire shoes. Pretty and comfortable vehicle, but I am slapping a for sale sign on this one and will never buy again!"

2 people out of 3 found this review helpful

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It has been a very good and dependable vehicle.

By flash (OH) on Wednesday, April 25, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 179,393

Pros: "style and comfort and ability to haul 8 people"

Cons: "suspension could be improved for ride."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"this vehicle was 31,000.00 new in 1998. It has plenty of power, plenty of room and comfort for eight people. the ride is better with more people in van."

2 people out of 2 found this review helpful

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Great all arounder

By LSN (IL) on Wednesday, February 15, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 130,000

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"Great gas mileage, pulls my horse trailer no problem. Plenty of cargo room. Very dependable. Like the dutch doors."

4 people out of 4 found this review helpful

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Good value, Roomy Dependable

By Jake (MN) on Tuesday, February 07, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 110,000

Pros: "Dependable"

Cons: "Low gas milage"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"Bought it new in 2001. AWD drive has come in handy in many a snow storm. Have use it to two a trailer, that went well. Milage is drawback about 13mpg most often in the city."

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

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